Union accuses govt of gaming pay rises

The federal government has been accused of promoting dozens of ministerial advisors to senior positions in an attempt to get around its own cap on wage rises for public servants.

Analysis of parliamentary documents by the United Services Union -- the largest branch of the Australian Services Union -- found that between February 2015 and October 2016 the number of staff classified as a "senior adviser" had surged by more than 60 per cent, from 61 to 101.

The union said the surge in promotions appeared to be a cynical attempt to game the system, providing substantial pay rises to staff members in ministerial offices at the same time that other employees had been left without any pay rise since 2014.